Hotline

LOS ANGELES—A startup Palo Alto, Calif.-based consumer electronics company, Red Jade, is looking for an agency to handle its ad account worth up to $100 million, sources said. The company was founded last February as a subsidiary of telecom giant Ericsson. Sources said that at least two West Coast shops are participating in the review.

DaimlerChrysler Meets Contenders for $1.5 Bil. Biz

CHICAGO—DaimlerChrysler last Wednesday met with the two agencies competing for its consolidated $1.5 billion account to clarify points made in pitches earlier this month. The meeting came as sources said the review, involving FCB and BBDO, which the client said would be based on compensation, might result in both agencies keeping current assignments for less money. A decision could come in November.

LOS ANGELES—A lawsuit has been filed here in Federal District Court against Nike for allegedly using the song "Me and Mrs. Jones" in a commercial without the songwriter's consent. Songwriter Billy Paul filed the suit seeking about $1 million in lost licensing fees. The suit also names Portland, Ore.-based Nike ad agency Wieden + Kennedy. Agency representatives couldn't be reached at press time. Nike would not comment specifically.

Coke Puts Roster Shops to Work

NEW YORK—Leo Burnett is working on a holiday spot for Coke Classic likely to break near Christmas, a Coke representative confirmed. Mart Martin of Coke North America also said that "conversations on 2001 work" were ongoing with various shops. Sources said Mullen in Wenham, Mass., has received a $5-10 million interactive assignment from the Atlanta-based client. Martin said he was unaware of the assignment; the agency declined comment.

Account Activity

USA Networks' Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch is looking for a shop to handle an estimated $20-25 million account, sources said. Finalists TBWA/Chiat/Day in Playa del Rey, Calif.; Leo Burnett in Chicago; and Merkley Newman Harty in New York pitched several weeks ago and await a decision, sources said. … CMGI is expected to name FCB to handle the creative duties for a $15-20 million assignment, sources said. Client and agency representatives declined to confirm the choice. … The review for Princess Cruises' $20 million ad account has narrowed to Lowe Lintas & Partners in New York; McCann-Erickson and Suissa Miller, both in Los Angeles; BBDO West in San Francisco; and incumbent J. Walter Thompson in Chicago. The client has also begun an agency search for its collateral and direct-response business. … Renaissance Cruises has selected Grey Direct and Ericsson Fina to handle its estimated $55 million account.

LOS ANGELES—A startup Palo Alto, Calif.-based consumer electronics company, Red Jade, is looking for an agency to handle its ad account worth up to $100 million, sources said. The company was founded last February as a subsidiary of telecom giant Ericsson. Sources said that at least two West Coast shops are participating in the review.

DaimlerChrysler Meets Contenders for $1.5 Bil. Biz

CHICAGO—DaimlerChrysler last Wednesday met with the two agencies competing for its consolidated $1.5 billion account to clarify points made in pitches earlier this month. The meeting came as sources said the review, involving FCB and BBDO, which the client said would be based on compensation, might result in both agencies keeping current assignments for less money. A decision could come in November.

LOS ANGELES—A lawsuit has been filed here in Federal District Court against Nike for allegedly using the song "Me and Mrs. Jones" in a commercial without the songwriter's consent. Songwriter Billy Paul filed the suit seeking about $1 million in lost licensing fees. The suit also names Portland, Ore.-based Nike ad agency Wieden + Kennedy. Agency representatives couldn't be reached at press time. Nike would not comment specifically.

Coke Puts Roster Shops to Work

NEW YORK—Leo Burnett is working on a holiday spot for Coke Classic likely to break near Christmas, a Coke representative confirmed. Mart Martin of Coke North America also said that "conversations on 2001 work" were ongoing with various shops. Sources said Mullen in Wenham, Mass., has received a $5-10 million interactive assignment from the Atlanta-based client. Martin said he was unaware of the assignment; the agency declined comment.

Account Activity

USA Networks' Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch is looking for a shop to handle an estimated $20-25 million account, sources said. Finalists TBWA/Chiat/Day in Playa del Rey, Calif.; Leo Burnett in Chicago; and Merkley Newman Harty in New York pitched several weeks ago and await a decision, sources said. … CMGI is expected to name FCB to handle the creative duties for a $15-20 million assignment, sources said. Client and agency representatives declined to confirm the choice. … The review for Princess Cruises' $20 million ad account has narrowed to Lowe Lintas & Partners in New York; McCann-Erickson and Suissa Miller, both in Los Angeles; BBDO West in San Francisco; and incumbent J. Walter Thompson in Chicago. The client has also begun an agency search for its collateral and direct-response business. … Renaissance Cruises has selected Grey Direct and Ericsson Fina to handle its estimated $55 million account.